Robot Comic #18

Ah, robot love in the springtime, is there anything quite like it? Let's not think too much about that.

This comic is dedicated to Anna. I’ve been wanting to bring the pink robot back into things for awhile. I like how they look like different models from the same manufacturer. The pink one is probably a later model. She doesn't seem to have the same problem with bits falling off.

You may notice that the colors in this comic look a bit grainy. Unfortunately, this one came with a terrible price. My excellent Epson Perfection scanner, which has served me faithfully for some years now, seems to have given up the ghost. As I started to scan this comic there was a POP! and a puff of acrid smoke from my poor scanner and that seems to have made an end of it.

That scanner did such a great job picking up watercolors and it was one of the few bulky things I figured I couldn’t leave at home. I’m sure it blew out due to the high voltage in this old house even though I was using a voltage adaptor like a good boy! So for now I’m limping along with a cheap Cannon document scanner.

If anyone has any advice about what went wrong, please feel free to post something in the comments. I’m now terrified to plug in my Cintiq tablet.

Oh and, as always, newspaper format is here.

The Blank Canvas

There were some canvasses waiting for me here. A few were large, newly stretched and waiting for a first brushstroke. Others were abandoned paintings that can easily be painted over into something new. Among these I found two abandoned portraits of Anna. They aren’t as poor as I remember. I have yet to complete a portrait of Anna.

Maybe this will be the summer...

Robot Comic #17

It never rains but it lemons.

I hope everyone is still enjoying Robot's adventures. Or misadventures. If you're liking these consider linking to them or otherwise spreading the word!

I fell in love with comics through comic strips, specifically Garfield and the inimitable Calvin and Hobbes. And I started out (as a boy) making comic strips, but it wasn't long before I was lured by the possibilities of long-form comics. It's been really rewarding to come back to the simplicity of the comic strip format. One simple idea expressed in just a few panels. It can be magic.

newspaper format here

Robot Comic #16

Ha HA! Robot Returns!

newspaper format here

Let in the Sun

We’ve arrived in Gravagna where we will stay for the summer. We’ve been some years away from this beautiful place, but we’re already settling into old routines and reacquainting ourselves with all the little peculiarities of this house in the mountains. The girls are ecstatic. This is kid paradise. I’m getting a studio space set up and working away at Zita 3 and I’m going to be painting a bit too when I get some more linseed oil. They dudes at the airport took my linseed oil. You know how it is.

I’m on a pretty slow connection here, but I’m hoping to figure that out this week (anyone have tips on getting internet in out of the way places?). I’m planning to post at least a weekly photo. And robot comics. I’ve got another one of those coming this week. So here we go! Let's raise a glass to Summer!

Into the Blue

Today the Little Hatke Family is traveling back to Italy to reconnect with friends and family for the first time in several years. For us it’s both a grand adventure and a homecoming. And as the rain pours down outside my window, I’m reminded of one of a line from the Hobbit: “adventures are not all pony-rides in May-sunshine.”

So as we head out to a small rural community far away, I thought I’d share something from a small-town community right nearby.

Virginia friends, do you know about Cristina’s Cafe in Strasburg? Owned and run by two (beautiful) sisters, the cafe serves good local food, offers a great cup of coffee, features lots of local music, and a summer farmers market. Cristina’s is just the kind of establishment that brings a small community to life. That sounded like a commercial didn’t it?

Here’s a sign I designed for them:

And as for the summer, I’ll keep blogging. I’m planning to get back to posting robot comics, hoping to have a painting or two to share, and intending to post some weekly photos. Stay tuned!

It’s All About Reading

I’m back from Chicago and had a fine old time at the International Reading Association Convention. I participated in an excellent panel presentation about comics, picture books and literacy with comics compatriots Sara Varon and Dave Roman. Jarrett Krosoczka (creator of the Lunch Lady series) was also on the panel and it was nice to meet him for the first time.

One of my contributions to the discussion was the perspective of watching my own kids learn to read with the help of comics. I made a special comic about the time when Angelica’s reading took off:

All-in-all it was another whirlwind convention. And now here I am, rushing to get ready for the next journey.

PS: THANKS to everyone who ordered from my etsy shop! It looks like I’ll be getting a camera and posting some weekly photos throughout the summer! You guys are all super top notch.